Dan Burwell

Pekin ~ Dan Burwell, 81, of Pekin passed away at 6:50 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024 at his residence. He was holding his wife's hand as she prayed the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary with him and peacefully gave himself to God.
He was born June 13, 1943, in Peoria to Lawrence and Goldie (Ridgeway) Burwell. He married the love of his life, Patricia Kay Darche, on July 29, 1972, and she survives.
Also surviving are his children, Brian (Julie) Burwell of Brimfield, Mark (Devon) Burwell of East Peoria and Tricia (Paul) Larson of East Peoria and his grandchildren, Aidan, Isaac, Landon, Lane and Addison.
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Russ, Betty, Alice, Bernice, Frank, Larry, Deb, Jerry and Helen.
Dan attended Roosevelt and Manual schools. He later served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1964 as a Military Police Officer in Korea.
He worked as a journeyman painter after the military until 1990 when he founded Burwell's Painting and Decorating Company.
He loved sports, and while in school played football, baseball, basketball and ran track. He went to state in track, and he continued playing basketball until he was 70.
He coached all of his three children's various sports teams and coached teenage A&B basketball teams for many years, taking them to competitions.
Dan grew up rabbit hunting with his family and then passed that love down to his sons and grandsons. He enjoyed his time in Colorado, especially deer and elk hunting with his boys. In recent years, he took trips to South Dakota pheasant hunting with his sons and grandsons.
Dan enjoyed pageants with his daughter, where they created many memories. The activities he attended for his granddaughter always put a large smile on his face. His favorite thing to do was to spend time with his wife, and they were able to travel to such places as Rome and the Holy Land.
He enjoyed taking his '58 Cadillac to car shows with his family.
Toward the end of his life, his favorite time was when his family spent time together as he did throughout his life. Time with family was always a priority and a sign of love for each other. He enjoyed having all of his family together many times before he received his call from God.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at St. Monica Catholic Church in East Peoria. Father Jon Steffan will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, October 14, 2024, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be 30 minutes prior to Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary's of Lourdes Cemetery in Germatown Hills.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Monica Catholic Church at 303 Campanile Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611 or to Women's Care Center at 2609 Knoxville Ave, Peoria, IL 61604.
To express condolences online, visit www.wrightandsalmon.com